USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 42
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Major Charles D. Smith
TE RESPECT which should be accorded the brave sons of the North who left homes and the peaceful pursuits of peaceful lives to give their services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American Union is certainly due the gentleman to a brief review of whose life the following lines are devoted. All honor to the heroes of 1861-65. To them the country is under a debt of gratitude it can never repay, and in centuries yet to be posterity will commemo- rate their chivalry in fitting eulogy and recite their heroic deeds in story and in song. To the once large, but now rapidly dimin- ishing army that followed "Old Glory" on many bloody fields in the sunny southland, crushed the armed hosts of treason and re- established on a firm and enduring foundation the beloved gov- ernment of our fathers, the subject of this sketch belonged. In the ranks of the world's workers, in times of peace, he was equally courageous and stalwart, ever "standing four-square to every wind that blows," and in the community with which he was for so many years identified he achieved a splendid record as busi- ness man and private citizen. Owing to his probity of character, his genuine worth, and his kindly and genial disposition, he gained a position as one of the earnest men whose depth of char- acter and strict adherence to principle called forth the admiration of all who knew him. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is to-day honored by all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends.
Charles H. Smith was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, on November 23, 1837, and was the son of Thomas and Ann (Clark) Smith. Good English blood flowed in his veins, his great-grand- parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Smith, his grandparents, George and Ann (Goodman) Smith, and his father and mother having been natives of Warwickshire, England. His grandfather was a clergyman, who, for a time, officiated at Chilvers Coton Chapel. On the maternal side, the subject's grandparents, John and Mary (Wilson) Clark, were natives of Warwickshire. Thomas Smith was, in his native land, a teacher of music and in 1830 he and his wife came to the United States, settling in Taunton, Massachu- setts. Thomas Smith was there employed at block printing, at
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which trade he became an expert and was very successful until the advent of more modern methods of printing cloth by machinery, which crowded out the former methods. Being an accomplished musician he was also a leader of a band. Subsequently he moved, with his family, to Fall River, Massachusetts, and to Jamestown, New York, in 1850. Some time later, while on a visit to his daugh- ter in Elyria, Ohio, he met with an accident while crossing the river there, and died from the effects of his injury. His widow survived him many years, dying in Jamestown, New York, in 1871. They were the parents of the following children: John, born in 1824, went to sea as a sailor in boyhood and was lost when his schooner, the "Mount Hope," went down in the Gulf of Mexico; Harriet, born in 1827, became the wife of Peter Holt; Thomas, born in 1829; George W., born in 1832, the first member of the family born in the United States; Joseph C., born in 1833; Charles H., the immediate subject of this memoir; Robert F., born in 1840; Sarah A., born in 1843, and who became the wife of O. A. Ross; she and George are the only members of this family surviving. All the sons, with the exception of John, and the sons-in-law served in the Union armies during the Civil War, and all returned to eat from their mother's table, the daughters having remained with their mother during the absence of their husbands. Joseph and the two sons-in-law were wounded and Robert had his mili- tary coat torn from his neck by a piece of bursting shell. This was certainly a remarkable record for loyalty and service in be- half of the national union.
The boyhood days of Charles H. Smith were spent in Fall River and Jamestown, where he attended the public schools dur- ing his early years, while during the period from fourteen to twenty years of age he attended night school, being ambitious and determined to secure an education. During the days he worked as a wood carver and chair finisher. In 1856 young Smith came to Ohio in the employ of L. C. Pratt, the well known chair manufacturer of Newburg. Mr. Smith was first employed in the branch factory at Bedford, Ohio, and the following year was transferred to Newburg, which is now a part of the city of Cleve- land. While thus employed the great civil conflict broke out be- tween the North and the South, and Mr. Smith promptly offered his services to his country. His military record is so replete with incident and arduous service, distinguished by the faithful per- formance of every duty, that the liberty is taken of reproducing, in substance, the record from his "History of Fuller's Ohio Bri- gade":
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Major Charles I. Smith
Charles H. Smith's first enlistment was in Company A, Sev- enth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, composed of what had been known as the Cleveland Light Guard Zouave Military Com- pany and other volunteers. His enlistment was on April 17, 1861, in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers. The regiment went first to Camp Taylor, Cleveland, and then to Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, where the recruits received thorough instruction in the school of a soldier. On the reorganization of the Seventh Regiment, all three-months' men were given a fur- lough, of which the following is a copy:
Camp Dennison, O., June 13, 1861.
Private Charles H. Smith, of Company A., Seventh Regiment, Second Brigade, Ohio Volunteers, in the three months' service, under the requisition of the President of the United States, has honorable leave of absence, to go to his home and there remain until regularly mustered out of the service, or until he receives further orders. E. B. TYLER,
Colonel Commanding Seventh Regiment.
In July, 1861, Mr. Smith assisted in recruiting a company of men in Cleveland for the three-years' service. The organization was ordered to Camp Chase, Columbus, where it was assigned as Company G, Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment. He was offered a commission as lieutenant, but declined it, preferring to go to the front as a private; however, he did not remain a private long, being promoted step by step, for faithful service and bravery on the field of battle. He was appointed sergeant on July 27, 1861; orderly sergeant on May 12, 1862; commissioned second lieutenant on November 2, 1862. The last named promotion was for meritor- ious conduct at the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi, on October 4, 1862, in leading a charge in which the color guard and battle flag of the Ninth Texas Regiment were captured. After the close of the war Major and Mrs. Smith paid a visit to the battlefield of Corinth, on which is now a monument marking the spot where fell the Confederate Colonel Rodgers, and where he was buried in accordance with his own wish. During that memorable battle, the Twenty-seventh Ohio Regiment was pitted against the Ninth Texas, every member of which stood over six feet tall, and which was commanded by gallant Colonel Rodgers. During the hand-to hand conflict there the Confederate color bearer was shot down and the colors taken by a boy in blue, but not until after the brave soldier in gray had wrapped the flag about him and staunched the blood from his wound with its folds. In a short time the Union soldier paid for his bravery with his own life, and he too pressed
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the flag to his own wound. One of the big Texans sprang forward to regain their blood-stained emblem, when Corporal Smith made him a prisoner and held captured colors. This was the act which gained for him an officer's commission.
Lieutenant Smith was assigned to Company B by Major Mendall Churchill's special order No. 196; commissioned first lieutenant May 9, 1864, and assigned to Company A. He was promoted to captain on November 3, 1864, and assigned to Com- pany K, and on May 3, 1865, he was promoted to Major. He took part in all the campaigns in which the regiment had a part and in nearly every battle he was in command of its skirmish lines. Despite the fact that he was thus uncommonly exposed to danger, he passed through four years and three months of continuous service without a wound.
By special order No. 24, on April 25, 1864, he was appointed on a board of survey to determine and fix the amount and respon- sibility of loss of certain ordnance stores. By special order, May 10, 1864, he was appointed assistant commissary of subsistence, and was relieved from that duty to receive a promotion. On September 6, 1864, by special order of Samuel Ross, commanding the post at Marietta, Georgia, he was sent to Atlanta to procure negroes to work on the fortifications and in the department. On November 9, 1864, he was appointed on a board of survey for the purpose of examining upon the loss of certain camp and garrison equipage, and again, on December 30, 1864, he was appointed on a board of survey to report upon the condition of certain hospital blankets. On January 9, 1865, he was appointed member of a gen- eral court martial for the trial of prisoners, receiving similar ap- pointments on April 9 and May 28. These court martials were held at times when the troops were at rest and when the army resumed operations, each officer of the court rejoined his command.
Major Smith was mustered out with his regiment on July 11, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, and was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, on July 20, 1865. Besides the foregoing splen- did military record, the following is the record of Major Smith's five brothers who also served in the defense of their country: John C. Smith, who served in the United States merchant marine, was lost on a vessel that foundered in the Atlantic Ocean; Private Thomas Smith, of the Twenty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Captain George C. Smith, of the Eighty-first Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry; Lieutenant Joseph C. Smith, of the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment New York Volunteer In-
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fantry, and who was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, Vir- ginia, in June, 1864; Sergeant Robert F. Smith, of the Forty-ninth New York Regiment, was wounded at the battle of the Wilder- ness.
After the war, Major Smith returned to Cleveland and en- gaged in the feed and grain business. While in the army he had regularly sent his pay home to his mother, who had not used it, and therefore, on his return home he was enabled to start in busi- ness. He first started in a modest way in partnership with D. J. Wilder, under the firm name of Wilder & Smith, their location being on Ontario Street, near Prospect. They were prospered in their business and subsequently erected an elevator on Columbus Street. This was subsequently sold and Major Smith bought property at the corner of Woodland and Broadway. He was in business about thirty-three years, and succeeded, by his energy, enterprise, and right business methods, in building up a large and profitable trade. He was never a speculator, but was soundly con- servative, believing in substantial and safe business methods. He retired from the grain business about ten years prior to his death. Subsequently he became identified with the Equity Savings and Loan Company, of which he became a director and treasurer. He was also a member of the old Board of Trade.
During his business career, Major Smith took up the study of law, attending the law school of the State University, where he was graduated in 1871, being admitted to practice. However, he had not taken the course with the expectation of ever following the legal profession, but merely that he might be the better able to protect his own interests. He was a man of unusually sound busi- ness judgment, whose advice was often sought, and as freely given on matters of business. He was universally recognized as a splendid citizen of lofty character, sterling integrity and un- swerving honesty. In the fullest sense of the term a self-made man, he had a broad sympathy for young men struggling for a foothold up life's pathway, many of whom are indebted to him not only for valuable counsel and advice, but also for material as- sistance. A public-spirited citizen, he was ready at all times to use his means and influence for the promotion of every movement which promised to enhance the welfare of the community, and there was probably not another man in the city so long honored by his residence who was held in higher esteem by the population, regardless of all sects, politics, or professions. He was one of the most unostentatious of men, open-hearted and candid in manner, always retaining in his demeanor the simplicity and candor of the
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old-time gentlemen, and his record stands as an enduring monu- ment although his labors are ended and his name is but a memory.
Politically, Major Smith was originally a Whig, but on the for- mation of the Republican party he allied himself with it, and was thereafter active in its support. Fraternally, he was a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons, having been raised to the degree of a Master Mason on September 16, 1867, and was a mem- ber of all the appendent bodies, including the chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the council of Royal and Select Masters, the Com- mandery of Knights Templars, and the thirty-second degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Major Smith was a po- tent force in all Masonic activities and left the imprint of his geniality and his wise counsel upon the hearts of his brethren. Major Smith was a member of the Loyal Legion, the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, the Grand Army of the Republic and Fuller's Ohio Brigade, being president of the last-named organi- zation at the time of his death. He ever retained a deep interest in everything pertaining to military matters and enjoyed a large and appreciative acquaintance among the members of the organi- zations to which he belonged. At the time of his death, by a pro- vision of his will, his membership in the Loyal Legion was trans- ferred to his grandson, Charles S. Coulton, who at that time was only twelve years of age, the same provisions being made relative to his membership in the society of the Army of the Tennessee. Under the rules of these organizations, at the death of a member the membership goes to the eldest son, but as Major Smith had no son, he named his grandson, who thus became the youngest member of these two exclusive military organizations. When Fuller's Ohio Brigade was formed into a society, after the war, the first president was General Fuller, who was succeeded by Gen. W. B. Swain, of New York, with Major Smith as vice-president. On the death of General Swain, Major Smith received the unusual honor of being elected president for life, and at the same time Mrs. Smith was made an honorary life member of the society, a double testimony to the love and affection with which the Major and his good wife were held by the old veterans. Major Smith possessed a remark- able memory, was a great reader of the world's best literature, and, as a writer, he possessed a pleasing and forceful style that made his productions very interesting. He was the author of a "History of Fuller's Ohio Brigade," which possesses much more than ordinary literary merit, and, having been written from the author's personal notes and recollections, is invaluable and should grace the shelf of every soldier's library. Always a stu-
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Major Charles L. Smith
dent, Major and Mrs. Smith undertook the study of the German language and together they mastered it thoroughly. The Major made an exhaustive study of parliamentary law and was often called upon to preside at public meetings. He was an extensive traveler, both in the United States and abroad, and was an ex- tremely interesting and instructive conversationalist. A soul high in its aspirations, an intellect broad in its reach, a citizen ever ready to serve, a husband and father whose home was his life's center, a brother, a companion, a comrade ever loving and beloved, he rounded out a long and active life and left upon the records and the affairs of life a beneficent influence that will last till time shall be no more.
On November 26, 1868, Major Charles H. Smith was married to Louisa M. Johnson, of Cleveland, the daughter of Luke Dewey and Lucinda M. (Ely) Johnson. This union was blessed by the birth of the following children: Mildred Lovisa, the wife of Rich- ard M. Coulton, of Cleveland, and the mother of four children, Mildred Louise, a member of the class of '14, Smith College, Frances Ely, of the class of '13, Hathaway Brown School; Charles Smith, and Richard M., Jr. Ely Clarke died at the age of two years; Nina Louise became the wife of Clarence E. Dodd, of Cleveland, and they have one child, Robert Smith Dodd; Edith Roberta, the wife of Frank E. Taplin, of Cleveland.
Luke Dewey Johnson, father of Mrs. Smith, came to Cleve- land, Ohio, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and was successfully engaged in the wholesale grocery business. He was familiarly known as Col. "L. D.," having served in the Cleveland Light Ar- tillery and on the Governor's staff with the rank of colonel. His death occurred in Cleveland, as did that of his wife. The latter was a daughter of Merrick Ely, a pioneer settler of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, having been the proprietor of a stage line which carried the mails between Pittsburgh, Poland, and Cleveland. He came to the latter city in 1834 and bought one hundred and twen- ty-six acres of land from a brother, who was disappointed with the country. Merrick Ely was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in 1838. A part of his land has since been continuously in the name of some of his direct descendants, the present home of Mrs. Smith, as well as that of her brother, adjoining, being a part of the original estate, and comprising one of the best resi- dence districts of the city.
Mrs. Smith has led an eminently active and useful life and is held in the highest regard in the circles in which she moves. Like her late husband, she takes a deep interest in all things military,
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Major Charles L. Smith
an interest that has probably come to her by heredity, for she is descended from old fighting stock, being three times eligible to membership in that select and exclusive organization, the "An- cient and Honorable Artillery." She is a member of the Western Reserve Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she has attended many of the congresses, including the one held at Washington, D. C., in the spring of 1913. She is also a member of the Founders and Patriots of America, the Colonial Dames of Vermont, and the Daughters of 1812, of which last named organization she is State president. She had the honor and distinction of serving on the committee with General Dodge and others to intercede for the site for the Grant Memorial at Washington, D. C., and is an honorary vice-president of the So- ciety of the Army of the Tennessee, which society will unveil the monument in the fall of 1914. She has been an extensive traveler and is a keen observer, so that she possesses a wide and accurate information of general topics, being a companion of rare and pleasing personality. She is a lady of unusual tact and soundness of judgment, which attributes, coupled with her gracious person- ality, render her popular with all classes and she has won and retains a host of admirers wherever she is known.
Simon A. Strader
HIS vital, progressive age is one that demands of men a distinctive initiative power if they are to attain to suc- cess worthy the name, and in addition to this power is required self-reliance, determination and consecutive application in the pursuit of a definite purpose. All these attri- butes have been exemplified in the career of Simon A. Strader, who has gained success and prestige in the business world and who is distinctively the architect of his own fortunes. Apprecia- tive of the attractions and advantages of Montgomery County, Ohio, he here found it possible to gain a position as one of its lead- ing and substantial men of affairs, and he has always enjoyed unmistakable esteem in this community which has been the scene of his well-directed efforts.
Simon A. Strader is descended from a long line of sterling ancestors. On the paternal side the family originally came from Germany, settling in North Carolina, where Mr. Strader's grand- father, Sampson P. Strader, was born. In an early day, while still a young man, he came to Ohio, and here married Mary Benner, a native of Pennsylvania and of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. The Benners, who were farmers by vocation, came to Ohio about one hundred years ago. In 1832 Sampson P. Strader came to Mont- gomery County and purchased a tract of land in the Miami Valley, near Miamisburg, where he spent the rest of his days. He was highly successful as a farmer, being numbered among the best in this fertile valley, and at his death he was numbered among the leading agriculturists of this locality. He and his wife were both of advanced ages at the time of their deaths. To them were born the following children: Labon, who is deceased, married and left children; Simon, who married and became a successful far- mer, died a number of years ago; William H., father of the sub- ject; Perry S., who is a farmer, is married and has two children; Sarah, who never married, died when past seventy years of age.
William H. Strader was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, on May 12, 1826, and his death occurred in West Carrollton, Ohio, on March 1, 1889. He followed the vocation of his father all his active days, being successful as a tiller of the soil. He married, near West Carrollton, Malissa Kendall, who was born in Ver- mont, and was brought to Montgomery County by her parents in
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an early day. She died in 1896, at the age of seventy years, six months and twenty days. William and Malissa Strader were good people in the best sense of the term, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew them. Their religious tendency was toward the Lu- theran Church, to the support of which they contributed. Their children were as follows: Simon A., the immediate subject of this sketch; Josephine, born October 2, 1847, is the wife of Albert O. Emley, of Dayton, and they have three children, Allie, William, and Nellie; Evaline born December 11, 1853, is the widow of New- ton Zimmerman; she lives at West Carrollton, and is the mother of three children, Harry, Frank, and Ellen; William Sampson, born in 1855, who is a farmer in Miami Township, this county, married Barbara Spickler, and they are the parents of two chil- dren, Nina and Lloyd; Lewis O., born on August 14, 1856, died in December, 1891, after an active life connected with the paper mill industry; he married Emma Smith and to them were born Charles, John, Lewis, Alfred, Ivan, and Nellie; Emma Laura, born May 7, 1862, is the wife of Henry Eicher of Hamilton, Ohio, and they have four children, Edgar, Clarence, Walter, and Lou- ella; Clara, born in 1864, is the wife of James Schroder, of Cov- ington, Virginia, and they have two children, Lela and Gladys.
Simon A. Strader was born on the home farm in Montgomery County, June 30, 1845. He received his education in the com- mon schools and in 1857 he went to Indiana, where he remained until the outbreak of the Southern Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company A, Seventieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Col. William H. Harrison and Captain Scott. He gave his country three years of active service, during which period he participated in fourteen regular battles, besides many skirmishes and much other arduous and dangerous serv- ice. Among the engagements in which his command was en- gaged were the siege of Atlanta, battles of Resaca, Bentonville, North Carolina, and the bloody battle of Peach Tree Creek. Mr. Strader was fortunate in escaping injury of serious nature, never having been off duty and never missing a meal.
After receiving his discharge from the army, Mr. Strader came to West Carrollton, Ohio, and for more than twenty years was closely identified with the paper mill industry here. In his business affairs he was faithful to all his engagements, indefati- gable in his industry, and wisely economical in the handling of his private funds, which he invested carefully and with good judgment, so that to-day he is very comfortably situated in a ma- terial way, being the owner of twenty acres of land and ten good
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houses all located in West Carrollton. He is now living practi- cally retired from active business affairs, except the managing of his own interests, but he has not in any degree lost interest in the general welfare of the community in which he resides, for at all times he can be counted upon to give his unqualified support to all good measures for the welfare of the people.
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